When people think about aging, they tend to think in terms of limitations. They imagine seniors stuck at home, leading a quiet, comfortable life reading, watching TV or engaging in other peaceful hobbies.
But in our community, we know that couldn’t be further from the truth. Seniors in La Jolla are staying active, expanding their skills and pursuing their dreams. They’re proving every day that the opportunities that come with aging far outweigh any limitations.
Opportunities for Seniors in La Jolla, CA
La Jolla and Greater San Diego have incredibly vibrant senior communities. With a wealth of senior-focused activities and events, as well as senior-led businesses you can support, there’s nowhere better for elders to live.
- Support Senior-Led Businesses
Greater San Diego is host to a huge range of local small businesses, many of which continue to thrive with seniors at the helm. Aztec Graphics is one of the best (and most affordable) custom framing businesses in the area. It was founded in 1983 by Barbara Bailey, who has continued as the owner and operator of this quiet neighborhood mainstay ever since.
If you need customized apparel, look no further than Merlin Embroidery in La Mesa. Owned by local senior Kevin McClanahan since 1992, Merlin Embroidery works with you to design logos, icons and more—and then mass-produce clothing sporting it. If you’re in a rush, they even offer same-day production!
- Be a Lifelong Learner
To continue growing and thriving, people need to keep learning—no matter their age. Learning has a host of benefits at every life stage, improving social bonds and leading to better life satisfaction. In fact, it’s even more important for seniors because it helps protect the brain against cognitive decline.
Greater San Diego happens to be home to a number of excellent community colleges and universities. The San Diego College of Continuing Education, part of the San Diego Community College network, offers a wide variety of practical courses on subjects like business, cuisine and information technology. They even have the Emeritus program, a collection of classes specifically for seniors in La Jolla.
Through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, UC San Diego offers classes just for older adults taught by world-class professors. This summer, they’re offering courses like The Great Philosophers: Thomas Aquinas, The Works of Russian Composers and Four Photographs that Changed History.
- Stay Active—Physically and Socially
Exercise is a great way to improve strength, flexibility and endurance. But its health benefits go far beyond that, especially for seniors, with benefits to nearly every aspect of both physical and mental health. In fact, according to the CDC, exercise can even reduce the risk of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and depression.
However, many seniors struggle to exercise at home. They may be worried about falling or injuring themselves, or they might just not be familiar with workouts that they’re able to do. Even just lacking the right equipment can be a barrier.
If your loved one has trouble exercising at home, you can help by connecting them with a senior-oriented group exercise class. These classes don’t just ensure that they’ll have a workout they can do, they also offer seniors in La Jolla the chance to connect and socialize.
The La Jolla Community Center is the perfect place for them to do it. They offer senior fitness programs like Zumba Gold and strength/balance training, as well as gentle yoga classes. They even offer day trips to various sights around Greater San Diego, so your loved one can keep exploring as they age.
There are also a number of larger senior-friendly events in San Diego itself. In fact, this March, over 600 seniors visited the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park for the last day of Museum Week. With the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation helping with logistics and transportation, they were able to enjoy a day of fun in the sun, making friends and watching the animals play.
- Give Back to the Community
San Diego has a long tradition of community engagement—and seniors have been a key part of it from the beginning. Through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, there are many opportunities for your loved one to get involved.
Whether they’d prefer to cultivate flowers at the Chula Vista Garden Club, protect endangered marine life at the Living Coast Discovery Center or read to local children at Words Alive, the Program is sure to have an opportunity for them to give back.
Supporting the Outstanding Seniors of La Jolla
From volunteering programs to day trips to witness the natural beauty of Southern California, there’s no shortage of opportunities to help your loved one thrive in La Jolla.
And even better, the professional caregivers at FirstLight Home Care of La Jolla are here to help. With companion care, our compassionate caregivers can ensure your loved one will always have a trusted friend and helper wherever they go. From spotting them at the gym to helping them to their seat at a Padres game, companion care can make every day their best day.
It’s truly an honor to work with the seniors of La Jolla. To learn more about how we can help your loved one, please contact us.
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